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Chapter 8
The Crown Prince, who had brought a storm in his wake, had departed.
Now, in the wide guest chamber, only the long-separated father and daughter and the family knights attending them remained, and they resumed the conversation that had been interrupted earlier.
Are you truly anticipating a calamity?
Of course, just as I said.
And what is this talk about the social season?
That is what I am about to explain…
Daniel was deeply curious about what his daughter, who had already gone so far as to sign a contract with the Crown Prince, was planning this time.
Sensing the strange liveliness in her father’s demeanor, Ellen thought to herself with relief, Father must be finding this new business interesting too.
“As I said, Father, the Krembel family harbors treasonous intent. I, as an insider, know this best. Which means I also know how to prove it. In fact, I’ve already shown His Highness part of the evidence.”
Now, all that remains is to find proof that can be revealed to the world.
Ellen continued.
“If we handle this poorly, we might be dragged into treason ourselves. That’s why the divorce must be finalized before anything else. His Highness promised to help, so one way or another it will be resolved. But that alone is not enough. Even after severing ties with Krembel, we must maintain a close relationship with the Crown Prince.”
“That’s true.”
At Daniel’s agreement, Ellen smiled faintly.
“And no matter what anyone says, our greatest weapon is capital, is it not?”
“That too… regrettably, yes.”
“Regrettably, Father? Money makes so many things possible.”
She folded her fingers one by one as she explained.
“The reason many nobles seek to gather more wealth. The reason Duke Krembel proposed a marriage alliance with us. The reason the Crown Prince struck a contract with us now. It all comes down to one thing, Father. Even the highest echelons of power are ultimately scheming to gain capital.”
Yes. They all pretend otherwise, but everyone is striving for more wealth.
“This will be both our sword and our shield.”
Ellen’s strategy was clear: push the Crown Prince to investigate Krembel himself, leading him to see their true colors. Once he glimpsed even a portion of Krembel’s treacherous ambitions, the family would be ousted, and she would gain an easy divorce with imperial support.
But divorce was only a short-term goal.
Ultimately, those she wished to protect needed to be safe within the whirlpool of power. For that, the Crown Prince had to ascend the throne and then maintain a stable hold on power.
In this lifetime, Ellen intended to become the key to sustaining that power herself.
She never wanted to endure betrayal again.
“This season, the trends will shift drastically.”
“Trends?”
Ellen lifted the hem of her dress slightly.
“These women’s dresses.”
If one asked who the most influential women of high society were, the answer would always be the same: Princess Eclipse Istagio, who was of marriageable age, and the Duchess of Traya, the leading lady of the noble faction.
Normally, the ateliers catering to high-ranking nobles dictated the trends of the season.
But that year was different.
The fashionable party dresses of the time were characterized by lace collars and skirts draped up toward the back.
Yet the princess and the duchess appeared without collars, leaving their necks cleanly exposed, and wore gowns decorated with lace or embroidery across the skirts.
At first, rumors spread that it was a symbol of unity between the two houses.
But the true reason lay elsewhere.
That year marked the retirement of a royal designer from Traya, and in respect, the royal family had agreed to wear his designs for the season.
Still, when such influential women donned them, the entire flow of fashion was overturned.
Thus, an unexpected new trend swept through the season, leaving nobles who ran fashion-related businesses to suffer heavy losses.
“This year, another royal designer is retiring. It’s very likely the court will wear his work in respect. It’s happened before.”
“Is that so? I wonder when you gathered such information.”
“Therefore, we must prepare to capitalize on his designs.”
“But if it’s only for a single season, we could take a loss instead.”
“He is from Traya. If the royal family adopts his gowns, the Traya family will certainly flaunt them as well. They’ll take pride in it and promote it vigorously. The trend will change overnight.”
Ellen laid out the chain of reasoning as a neat puzzle her father could accept.
Daniel nodded slowly. Her words seemed plausible enough, but he couldn’t shake a faint unease.
How can she be so certain?
Ellen simply replied, hiding behind a calm smile:
“Well then. With such perfectly arranged pieces, why is it that the complete picture is visible only to me?”
The daughter who once wept so bitterly was gone. In her place stood a woman wearing a smiling mask.
“…Very well. This time, I shall trust you completely.”
“Thank you, Father.”
Daniel didn’t press her further.
To him, the daughter who had asked for divorce with her own lips was pitiable enough that he wanted to give her everything she desired.
The next day, late in the morning.
The sunlight neared its zenith, shining bright and warm.
At a polished tea table reflecting the rays, Ellen sipped her tea, admiring the pretty shimmer. Then came a knock at the chamber door.
Daniel asked grimly,
“Again? Does someone come nearly every day now? Who could it be this time?”
“Well… I doubt His Highness would return so soon. Don’t tell me…”
The Crown Prince had already visited yesterday. Which left only one possibility.
“What is it?”
At Ellen’s cue, the attendant outside relayed the message.
“Someone from Duke Krembel’s household awaits you in the first-floor lobby.”
As expected.
The most unwelcome outcome. Ellen’s brow furrowed slightly.
“…Tell him to wait until I come down.”
“Yes, my lady. If you need anything else, please summon me.”
After giving a distracted reply and returning to the table, Ellen heard Daniel say in a subdued voice,
“So, the duke’s people.”
“Yes. They’re waiting below.”
“Do you plan to go?”
“…I’m not sure.”
After some thought, Ellen said,
“I’ll consider it while I bathe.”
She resolved to take her time preparing. Why rush, just to please him?
She drew a bath, adding rose-scented oils and scattering petals, then slipped into the warm water, feeling her muscles soften as she reclined.
Could it be they’re ready for me to sign the papers?
Perhaps—just perhaps—the matter could be resolved with a simple mutual divorce.
She allowed herself a flicker of hope.
But it didn’t last long.
No, impossible. That man would never.
Most likely, it was another scheme.
Still, an amicable divorce is the best outcome…
It would spare her the messy procedures.
She pondered.
What should I do?
Sliding lower into the tub until only her nose peeked above the surface, she let the warmth envelop her. When the water finally cooled, she made up her mind.
So be it. I’ll have to face him sooner or later. There’s no avoiding it forever.
She finished bathing leisurely, then pulled out the dresses she had purchased through the attendants earlier.
Knowing a fight was likely, she chose a dark wine-red gown. Not a spring color, but she convinced herself it suited her.
Her shoes had sharp heels—chosen as potential weapons. If anyone dared grab her wrist again, she was ready to drive her heel down on them.
With bold makeup tinged in red, a small veiled hat, and a delicate black lace parasol, she adorned herself piece by piece, humming softly.
It had been so long since she’d taken pleasure in dressing up that she found it amusing.
Finally, stepping out, she saw Daniel burst into hearty laughter.
“You look as if you’re off to a battle. No young lady could stand tall against you now.”
“Unfortunately, the one I’m meeting is nothing like those pretty young ladies.”
They shared a laugh. Daniel hugged his daughter gently.
“…Are you truly going? What if you never come back out…”
The unspoken fear was clear in his fading words.
Ellen, too, had considered the risk. But this time, she wasn’t alone—that gave her the courage.
“That’s why, Father—if I don’t send word within three hours, please come to the Krembel estate.”
“To the estate? I can, of course, but—”
“Perfect. If I’m gone more than three hours, come fetch me. Bring a suitable gift, too. If word spreads that Count Cryant came all the way there, he won’t dare play too many tricks.”
“…And you’re sure that will be enough?”
“For now. Who knows what later will bring.”
From Ellen’s past life of watching him for years, she knew his pride in reputation outweighed all else—even women’s inexplicable defiance.
“Well then, I’ll be off, Father.”
With a final embrace, Ellen descended the stairs.
